3. Constipation
IBS will not only cause diarrhea but also constipation, which seems counterintuitive. Constipation-predominant IBS is common among IBS patients, affecting almost 50 percent of them.
Constipation is a result of the altered communication between the bowel and the brain, which can either slow down or speed up the regular flow of the stool. When the transit time of the stool will slow down, the bowel will end up absorbing more water from the stool and that is when constipation happens. Constipation is when you have less than 3 bowel movements each week. Most of the time, constipation will also come with abdominal pain, which eases after a bowel movement.
Aside from the usual IBS treatments, drinking more water, exercising, and eating soluble fiber may help treat constipation. Taking probiotics and using laxatives may also help.
